"If you got rid of all the autism genetics, you wouldn’t have science or art. All you would have is a bunch of social yak yaks." – Temple Grandin
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Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that causes differences in thinking, behavior, and communication relative to the general population. Parents often recognize differences in children prior to age two, although autism may not be diagnosed until later. When ASD is diagnosed in childhood, treatments and services typically focus on helping the child learn to “fit in” socially. When ASD is not diagnosed until adulthood, people have often felt different for many years, and may have experienced discrimination and not known why. Being diagnosed as an adult can help people better understand and advocate for themselves, and can help friends, family, and collegues understand them better as well. In both children and adults, psychiatric treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder can help reduce distressing symptoms.
In the US, 1 in 36 children and 1 in 45 adults have ASD. Other psychiatric conditions frequently co-occur in people with ASD, including ADHD, OCD, PTSD, Tourette’s, and gender dysphoria. The more a person’s thinking and behavior differ from neurotypical people’s, the more likely they may be to experience discrimination, and the more difficulty they may have in predominantly neurotypical spaces. For instance, people with ASD may struggle in school, at work, and in relationships.
At Owl & Eagle Health and Wellness, our team of board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioners and psychotherapists treat people ages 16 and up for ASD. We use a team-based, holistic approach combining up-to-date psychiatric treatments, psychotherapy, and integrative care. We can help you manage any distressing symptoms, help you and others understand your differences, help you advocate for yourself at school and work, and help you access any needed services. This holistic and integrative approach to treatment will not only treat your symptoms but will help you improve your overall mental and physical health and well-being.
If you are interested in treatment for Autism at Owl & Eagle Health and Wellness in Golden or Greenwood Village, Colorado, Contact Us with questions or Book Now to schedule an in person or telehealth intake appointment today.
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Autism Spectrum Disorder Q &A
What causes Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?
The causes of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are not fully understood, but some risk factors include:
- Older parental age
- Having family members with autism
- Having a genetic condition, such as Down Syndrome or Fragile X Syndrome
- Perinatal and birth complications, such as low birth weight
A large body of research shows that vaccines do not cause Autism Spectrum Disorder.
What are the symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?
Symptoms of ASD include:
Social Disconnection:
- Discomfort with or inability to engage in prolonged eye contact.
- Difficulty imagining or understanding others’ perspectives, thoughts, and feelings.
- Difficulty noticing or interpreting other people’s facial expressions or body language.
- Infrequent sharing of emotion or enjoyment with others.
- Difficulty developing, maintaining and understanding relationships.
- Feeling left out or having trouble fitting in with groups of people.
- Desire to isolate from others and at the same time feeling lonely.
Communication Differences:
- Use of unique tone of voice, words, or phrases
- Discomfort with small talk or unnecessary chit-chat
- Needing a high level of directness and honesty in communication
- Difficulty starting conversations and keeping conversations going
- Not knowing when to speak and when to let the other person speak
- Talking about own interests at length, without allowing the other person to interject
- Not noticing when another person is uncomfortable or losing interest in a discussion
- Tendency to use facial expressions or body language that others may see as odd or inappropriate to the situation
Repetitive Behaviors:
- Need to adhere to strict routines
- Preference for belongings to stay in the same place, order, and arrangement
- Anxiety or anger due to changes in routines or when belongings are moved or rearranged
- Intense preoccupations or obsessions with certain topics
- Ability to develop encyclopedic knowledge of topics and discuss them in minute detail
- Repetitive, stereotyped motor activity such as rocking or flapping hands
- Echolalia, or repeating words or phrases
Reactivity to Sensory Input:
- Unique sensitivity to textures, temperatures, sounds, bright or flashing lights, colors, odors, and tastes
- Tendency to experience sensory overload, or anxiety and agitation in environments with excessive sensory stimulation
Meltdowns:
- Excessive changes in environment or routine, sensory overload, or interpersonal stress can cause agitation and angry or emotional outbursts, known as meltdowns.
- Meltdowns can be very distressing and can cause problems in school, at work, or in relationships.
Masking:
- People with autism sometimes learn to hide some of their differences or mimic social behaviors and communication patterns of neurotypical people to fit in or be accepted. This is called masking.
- Although masking can help with fitting in, it often takes a lot of energy and can be exhausting.
Burnout:
- Exhaustion due to prolonged masking or sensory overload is often referred to as autistic burnout.
- Burnout can cause increased difficulty with communication, emotional regulation, completion of tasks, decision making, tolerance of sensory stimulation, and trouble completing self-care or other regular activities.
- Burnout can cause fatigue, anxiety, depression, increased repetitive behaviors, insomnia, and more frequent or intense meltdowns.
How is Autism Spectrum Disorder treated?
At Owl & Eagle Health and Wellness, our team of board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioners and psychotherapists have experience and expertise in treating Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). We will work as a team to ensure that you get the best possible care. We will conduct a thorough psychiatric diagnostic evaluation and neurocognitive testing to accurately diagnose ASD and any co-occurring mental health conditions you may have. We will work with you to create a holistic treatment plan combining psychiatric medications, psychotherapy, and evidence-based integrative treatments, including dietary recommendations, stress management, sleep hygiene, exercise, vitamins, supplements, yoga, meditation, and breathwork.
Medications frequently used to treat symptoms associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder and common co-occurring conditions include antidepressants, anxiolytics, mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, sleep medications, and stimulant and non-stimulant medications for concentration. Genetic testing can help identify which medications are most likely to be effective and well-tolerated for you. For symptoms that do not respond sufficiently to these treatments, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and Ketamine Assisted Therapy can be very helpful. We will make sure to consider and respect your individual needs and preferences.
People with ASD have a right to certain accommodations at school or work when appropriate. Accommodations can make school and work much more enjoyable and much less stressful and exhausting. We can help you determine which accommodations would be helpful for you, and can complete letters and paperwork needed when requesting accommodations. We can also help you access special services when needed, such as occupational and speech therapy, job training, help with finding employment, housing assistance, and help with housework, shopping, or transportation.
Our personalized, holistic treatment can help you effectively manage symptoms of ASD and co-occurring conditions, improve your relationships, and succeed at school and work, while greatly improving your overall health, well-being, and quality of life.
If you would like to learn more about holistic treatment for Autism at Owl & Eagle Health and Wellness, Contact Us with questions or Book Now to schedule an in person or telehealth intake appointment today.
A Note on Respectful Language:
Some people prefer to be described in person first language, ie: “a person with autism.” Others prefer to be described in identity first language, ie: “an autistic person.” We believe in using whatever language a particular individual prefers, and we will ask you your preference and use this language when we communicate with you. Current psychiatric diagnostic terminology uses the term Autism Spectrum Disorder. This centers neurotypical as normal and autism as a disorder with degree of disability dependent on how different the person’s thinking and behavior is from neurotypical people's. We understand that different is not the same as lesser than, and prefer to view autism as a variant, rather than a disorder. However, discrimination is still a problem at this time, and treating autism as a disorder protects people from discrimination. We do recognize that if neurotypical people had a better understanding of autism, this would not be necessary. For consistency on this website, Autism Spectrum Disorder and person-first language is used.
Sources:
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/mental-health-myths-facts
https://mhanational.org/mentalhealthfacts
https://guide.autismspeaks.org/
https://docs.autismspeaks.org/self-empowerment/
https://nationalautismassociation.org/
https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-Conditions/Related-Conditions/Autism
https://askjan.org/disabilities/Autism-Spectrum.cfm
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/odep/program-areas/autism
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/autism-spectrum-disorder
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/autism-spectrum-disorders-asd